Difference in Machinima Style

World of Warcraft Machinima

Martin Falch - TotP3, Pre-set Animations, additional editing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUPh-K40HjA

Martin Falch spent one and a half years producing and directing perhaps the most noteworthy and highly acclaimed machinima pieces of all time; Tales of the Past III. A feature length machinima over 90 minutes long, Falch combines footage recorded in-game and animations imported via green-screen and WMV (WoW model viewer). With effects utilized from various Adobe and other special effects software, it remained at the top of warcraftmovies highest downloaded, highest rated and most viewed list for several months.

AFK PL@YERS (Taiwanese)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMlzJdeOeVc (Pre-rendered, in-game graphics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7_ofs3p85k (Pre-rendered, in-game graphics)

These Warcraft machinimators have made many pieces over the years that I have enjoyed, emplying many of the same methods used by Falch (though he was in no shame a pioneer of these methods; such has been the norm for perhaps truly pioneering machinimators such as Myndflame Dementia).

Percula - Blind (full custom animations, additional lighting, pre-rendered/ improved graphics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQeJQ8KJyY

Most likely made via importing WoW models and environments into Maya or 3D Studio Max, very few of the animations here are in-game, though all the models are. The lighting is also slightly different.

Sanity Not Included - Comedy, no custom animations, player controlled, 'frapped'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVD9bCLSmKY

A series of short sketches and 'skits', consisting of recorded footage which is dubbed in a comedic fashion. This sort of machinima doesn't rely on plot or story, and is much easier to make providing you have the same degree of comedic talent.

South Park - Make Love, Not Warcraft - Crosses back and forth between pre-rendered / animated game play with in-game graphics and typical 2D South Park animation.

http://vimeo.com/15715765

Blizzard and the creators of South Park collaborated to produce this episode, which features animations found in-game and developed solely for the episode.